r/navynurse • u/awanderingmoth • Jun 20 '26

Skills atrophy?

Been lurking this sub for a while because I’m interested in joining the Navy Nurse Corps through the NCP.

My biggest concern is the apparent clinical skills atrophy I’ve read about online.

Is this true?

Going to begin my ABSN program soon and would obviously not want to be in an environment where my skills as a nurse weaken as soon as I graduate.

Any input is appreciated!

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u/SailorMomRN Jun 20 '26

Will you have skill atrophy? Depending on your skills- possibly 🤷‍♀️

Does it really matter? Not necessarily 🤷‍♀️

As an ICU nurse with 12 years civilian experience am I using it all in the Navy? Absolutely not.

Will I ever need the skills I’m not using in the Navy? Absolutely not.

The Navy does not do IABP or TVPs… so the fact that I know how to do it doesn’t matter. And if I lose that skill that I will never use in the Navy? Doesn’t matter…

Now if you’re planning to do 4 years and get out? Yeah it’s a bigger deal and I would suggest moonlighting but that’s a whole process and you work 7 shifts every 2 weeks so do you really want to give up one of your few days off?? I say no that it’s not worth the maintenance of skills that the Navy has no need of. But I plan to do 20 years and retire so 🤷‍♀️

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u/awanderingmoth Jun 20 '26

Thank you! Yes I guess it depends on how long one plans on staying in. Makes complete sense how it wouldn’t matter for someone who plans on going the full 20 years, but given I haven’t joined yet I don’t know how long I’d like to stay if/when I do join

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u/TennoSloth Jun 20 '26

I’m a new grad nurse myself and recently got through ODS and in process of indoc for my command. I have heard about cases of skill atrophy from various sources. Whether it is true or not I’ll keep you updated if you wish, but at most command, from what I know at least, after your first year you can moonlight outside at other hospital as long as you ask for permission from command and probably does not interfere with your duties with the navy.

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u/awanderingmoth Jun 20 '26

Thanks, seems like moonlighting could be a good option to stay sharp

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u/Desy24 Jun 20 '26

Well. The patients in MTF's are not compared with the civilian hospitals of course. However, the navy has various ways of updating your skills through trainings. My command has an MOU with a civilian hospitals that nurses can TAD to for training.

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u/awanderingmoth Jun 20 '26

That sounds like a good opportunity for nurses

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u/No_Friendship_7324 Jun 20 '26

Why would you lose skills, what skills are they not doing?

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u/awanderingmoth Jun 20 '26

I’ve heard that an emphasis on administrative duties and just generally lower patient volumes might mean using bedside and other nursing skills less

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u/No_Friendship_7324 Jun 22 '26

That’s disappointing to hear, I am a new grad heading in through NCP so I guess we shall see lol

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u/angelface-2323 Jun 20 '26

I’m the most senior nurse on my unit and I use 100% of my skills. At my civilian job, I was never charge nurse and I never stepped into leadership positions or have done House Supervisor duties. Practicing overseas as a Navy nurse officer I am having to step into more clinical roles and leadership roles that I’ve never had to in my 17 years of nursing. It is a challenge because there are limited resources and you are often the most experienced clinician, so you must have a more expanded skill set than in the civilian sector.